sweetie
Refugee
Happy Monday everyone!
Disclaimer - Fiction - fiction - fiction
Bono bowed at the waist before Creide. She extended her hand to him and he took it and placed a kissed on it. He lifted his head and winked at her. Watching this, Gioia ’s felt a lump rise in her throat as jealously threatened to crush her.
“Very nicely done, Bono.” Creide spoke to him and to the others in the room. “Beautiful song. I cannot completely explain the emotions that it invoked. But I’m pleased to discover that although I cannot put them in to words, there were emotions involved. By chance was that song one of your creations?”
Bono nodded. “Yes, my lady.”
Creide smiled and held his gaze. “Very well.” She stood up and instructed the court musicians to play so that her guests could enjoy some dancing. She gestured to Bono to have a seat beside her.
Gioia turned away before Bono took his seat beside the Queen. She looked around the room and suddenly felt over warm and stifled. An errant tear surprised her by trickling down her cheek. Her emotions angered her and she brushed it aside annoyed at her weakness. She decided to go outside for some air.
Andrew saw Gioia step out into the moonlit garden. He had been sitting on a stone bench. He decided not to approach her but stayed partially hidden behind the rhododendrons.
Gioia took a deep breath and lifted her eyes up to the stars in the clear sky. What was she doing here? The past few weeks had been barely credible. Except for trying to come to terms with her relationship with Bono, she hadn’t questioned what was happening to them. She had just accepted it all and was living day to day. She hadn’t even stopped to think about when it was all going to end and when she would find herself back home. She wondered if she would ever see it again.
How could something like this happen? They were in a land of fairies and goddesses, curses and magic. Each day it was becoming easier to believe that this was not a dream. That everything she was experiencing was real and they were truly in a fantastical land filled with Celtic myths and legends.
And of course, each day had been filled with Bono. Many times she had to remind herself who he was. Not that she, at any point in time, ever forgot who he was. But after spending so much time with him, day and night, she found that he was just a man. He was still the remarkable person she had idolized all these years. He was still the man who could recount his amazing experiences over the years. He was still the talented and intelligent individual that she had read about and saw televised specials about. But over the past few weeks he had become flesh and blood. A man whom she had come to rely on for strength and support and who was going through this trying time with her. He was a friend, sharing stories and experiences.
And if given the chance, she would make love with him. That was the truth that was weighing heavily on her. Never would she have thought that she would be the type of woman to sleep with a man after only knowing him for a short time. But this was Bono. One would think that would be excuse enough. (author's note - I know that would be excuse enough for me!!!!!) She had known him for years without actually meeting him. Knew the expressions on his face, his walk, his voice, and thought she knew his personality.
After that day at the river she knew that she would never have the will to deny him or herself. She proved that to herself when, of her own free will, she went to him at the waterfall. That day she was not analyzing or thinking about the consequences. All she was thinking about was reliving the powerful emotions that he had awakened in her. If they had not been interrupted, they would’ve made love in those beautiful surroundings, and consequences be damned.
And now? Gioia ’s heart clenched, thinking of Bono sitting next to the Queen. How could the Queen not fall for him instantly after hearing him sing? Gioia miserably thought that despite everything they had been through the past few weeks, seeing him doing what he does best brought back who he was with a force. And for some reason, that realization upset her.
Silently, Andrew watched the play of emotions on Gioia ’s face. Finally, when he had decided to come out of hiding and approach her, Bono sauntered out.
Bono saw Gioia standing by the waist high wall, which looked out over the forest below and the ocean beyond. Her back was to him. He was so happy to see her. Short of telling Creide that he had better things to do than to sit and talk with her all evening, Bono did all he could to get away and meet with Gioia .
He put his hands on her waist and placed a kiss on the back of her neck. He was rewarded with her audible gasp. She whirled around in surprise.
“Bono!” She launched herself at him and hugged him close. So much for staying cool.
Bono chuckled and hugged her back. “You getting along alright?” He asked her.
Gioia nodded and smiled at him. “I can see you are. You seem right at home.” She liked the way he had left his arm around her waist. “Nice song by the way.”
Bono laughed. “You liked it?”
Gioia joined in the laughter, amazed at how effortlessly he made her feel at ease. “How did you keep a straight face when Creide asked if it was one of your creations?”
He grunted. “You realize that if someone had the presence of mind to write it down that I possibly just screwed the band out of a hit record. Provided,of course, that we are actually in the past.”
“True.” Gioia agreed. “How’s the poetry coming along?”
He shrugged. “I have been trying. Honestly, I don’t know what she’s looking for. Does she want romantic, spiritually uplifting, or what? And I’m not getting any help from her or anyone else.”
Gioia rubbed his back. She hoped it seemed like a casual gesture and that he couldn’t notice how much she needed to touch him.
"Maybe you won’t have to try so hard. Use one of your songs. Did you see the way she reacted to you in there? I could almost see the goose bumps on her arms from where I stood.”
Bono didn’t answer. He had missed her so much. He didn’t want to waste these minutes discussing the Queen. The days had stretched on endlessly. When he offered to be the evening’s entertainment, Creide agreed almost hungrily. He knew he was probably offering himself up on a silver platter but he didn’t care. He was jumping at a chance for a change of pace. Any chance to see Gioia . He caressed her cheek lovingly.
“What are you doing out here all alone? I thought maybe you would be interested in a dance with me.”
Her heart tripped. His tone of voice was so seductive that it took her a moment to comprehend what he had said.
Gioia shook her head, amused, as she looked through the open doors to the dancing going on in the great hall. There was a lot of bowing and clapping and skipping going on.
“I don’t think I know that particular dance.”
Bono followed her eyes and smiled. “I’m up for trying out something new. I’m sure we could figure it out. No?” No doubt he would get out there and give it his very best shot but Gioia was shaking her head furiously. No.
“Alright, then we’ll dance out here.” He took her hand and draped her arm over his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her waist. He took her other hand in his and pulled her close to him. He held her hand near to his heart and began to dance.
They were dancing to their own music. Their cheeks were pressed up against each other and Gioia closed her eyes. Bono led the dance, which was slow and rhythmic. A melody was in his head and his body was swayed by it. After a moment Gioia kissed him on the cheek. She laid her head on his collar and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
Gioia wanted this to last forever. Bono had rested his cheek against the top of her head and she could picture his eyes being closed as her were. They were swaying slowly and sensually. Bono’s thigh was pressing slightly between hers, leading and guiding her. His arms were wrapped completely around her and she was so close to him that she could feel his heat and hear his steady heartbeat. She couldn’t help letting out a contented sigh.
All at once, he stopped. Gioia felt him stiffen. She looked up and to her horror saw Andrew walking over to them with two drinks in his hands. He had a confused look on his face.
“I suggest you find another place to be Fletcher.” Bono warned.
Andrew smirked at him but turned his attention to Gioia . “What goes on here? I leave you alone for a moment, by your request for refreshment may I add, and come back to find you in another’s arms?”
Bono stepped away in shock. He took in the stunned look on Gioia ’s face and the satisfied sneer on Fletcher’s face and knew that he was about to make a mistake, but he decided to leave the vicinity anyway. He turned and walked back into the Great Hall.
Gioia instantly stepped forward to stop him but Andrew grabbed her arm to stop her.
“Get your hands off of me!” She was furious. “Why? Why did you do that?”
“He’ll get over it. Listen, I have to talk with you.”
Gioia struggled. “I don’t want to listen to you, Andrew!”
“Gioia stop.” He shook her to get her attention. “He will die!” She stopped struggling. “Do I have your attention now?” She nodded, wide-eyed.
He let go of her arms with a muttered apology. “If he doesn’t produce a successful poem for Creide, he will be killed. Those are the terms of the curse. He cannot be distracted by you or by his feelings for you. Creide will see right through it. And if he waits much longer to submit a poem to her, Aine will be here! Creide already wants to send you away to return the necklace on your own but I told her that she would not get the desired results out of Bono if you were sent away. Do you understand?”
Gioia nodded, staggered by Andrew’s outburst. “Does he know this?”
Andrew was silent for a moment. “I don’t know what he’s been told.” He reached for her and Gioia was too numb to protest. She had her arms crossed in front of her so he held her in a loose hug. “You have to understand that I want him to succeed. Even if he would accept my help, which he probably would not, I don’t know how to help him. I don’t know what kind of poem would release Creide.”
She looked up at him and saw sincerity on his face. Although she didn’t trust him, she knew what he felt for Creide.
“Andrew—please tell me what’s happening. All we’ve received is half- truths and the rest we’ve had to figure out for ourselves. We want to help. We want to go home.” There, she had said it.
Andrew heard the desperation in her voice and tried to comfort her by pulling her close into his embrace. She was about to push against him to release her when she saw Bono standing by the doorway.
He ran his hand through his hair and was at a loss for words. “I – I wanted to come back to apologize, knowing what a snake Fletcher was. But---“ He locked eyes with Gioia and couldn’t continue. He turned around and walked away.
“Sh*t!” Gioia breathed before taking off after him.
Andrew shook his head and wondered if she had heard a word of what he had told her. He downed the contents of his glass. He frowned and also wondered what he had done to Bono to make him despise him so.
****
Gioia caught up with Bono in the inner corridor. Apparently he wasn’t planning on going back into the Great Hall.
“Bono!”
He stopped walking but didn’t turn around. Gioia waited a few steps from him, unsure what to say to him that would convince him that nothing was between her and Andrew. It should have been exhilarating to know that he could be disturbed by a possible affair with Andrew, but Gioia wasn’t thinking in that vein. She didn’t want him to be upset by something that did not exist.
He turned around to look at her. She couldn’t tell from his expression what he was feeling or thinking.
She shook her head. “There’s nothing between Andrew and me.” She stated the fact as simply as possible.
Bono had been holding his breath. He wished he could exhale without her noticing. He believed her. He knew anyway. As he walked away he thought about how she was standing stiffly in Fletcher’s embrace and was barely looking at him. Bono had been on the receiving end of Gioia ’s loving gazes and knew them well. He felt like a fool for his jealously and for showing his vulnerability to Fletcher.
He stepped back to Gioia and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. What did she think of all this? Was she pleased that he had been jealous? He thought it was time he found out exactly how she felt about him.
“We’re ok?” She asked softly.
He nodded. “Since you didn’t welcome his advances then it just proves how pathetic Fletcher is, eh?”
Gioia shook her head and smiled. “He’s in love with Creide, did you know that?”
Bono raised an eyebrow. “Truly? Hmmmph. That explains quite a bit doesn’t it?” Gioia looked confused. “I couldn’t figure out what he had to gain by being involved in all of this. If Creide is released from her enchantment then she is free. He could woo her and her kingdom.”
“I really believe that he wants to help Creide because he loves her, but it didn’t start that way.” Gioia explained. “Aine had his sister put to death. A lot of this is revenge upon Aine, for once Creide’s curse is lifted, Andrew will feel that his sister’s death will be avenged.”
Bono looked surprised. “So ole Fletcher is on the up and up?”
Gioia shrugged. Suddenly she remembered her conversation with Andrew out in the garden. “Oh! I have to tell you something important!”
Bono smiled at her and leaned down and placed a delicate kiss on the edge of her mouth. “What’s that?”
She swallowed hard. How could she tell him that if he doesn’t succeed with the poem that he will have to die? She suddenly felt very ill and all the blood drained from her face.
“Gioia!” He grabbed her by the waist and held her close.
“What goes on here?” A booming voice called out. Bono looked up and saw two guards standing a few feet away. He groaned. He looked down at Gioia in his arms and saw the coloring returning to her cheeks. He kissed her gently, obliviously dismissing the guards. The two sentries looked on and grinned at Bono’s unflappable aplomb.
“The lady is not feeling well, could you make certain that she returns to her rooms?”
One of the guards nodded immediately, accustomed to receiving orders from someone who had authority, or in Bono’s case, the audacity to think that he had authority.
Bono watched as Gioia was led away. He sighed. There was something that she wanted to tell him. It couldn’t have been good, considering the reaction she had to her own thoughts. He didn’t want to know. He didn’t want any distractions. He just wanted to get this all over with and move on. He was getting restless. If he was trapped in this land then he certainly didn’t want to spend his days stuck in this fortress or running toward or from Aine.
He was trying to decide if he should go to his rooms or back to the Great Hall. Neither held much appeal to him. He hated to be alone, but he also didn’t feel like dealing with Creide’s company. Although, it had been an exhilarating experience performing in front of her guests. He still had it! He smiled to himself.
He was still undecided when he saw the beautiful girl with the honey colored hair and violet eyes standing a few feet in front of him.
She smiled at him.
“Who are you?”
She didn’t say a word. She motioned with her hand indicating that he should follow her. She turned and walked away from him. He followed her at a distance until he realized that he was being led back to his rooms.
“Hey, hold on a minute! I don’t think—“
She disappeared.
Bono blinked and looked around him but she was definitely gone. He heard footsteps almost immediately and saw the two guards who had escorted Gioia back to her rooms. That jolted him. She was close by. He hadn’t considered that Creide’s two prisoners would be in the same wing.
The guards nodded to him but gave him a suspicious look. Bono decided to just retire to his rooms for the night and give the poem some more thought.
He walked into his room and was surprised to find the angelic beauty sitting calmly by the window.
“Ok.” He started coolly. “Who are you and what do you want from me?”
She smiled and stood up. “Would you like a drink Bono?” To his surprise she was holding a decanter and two glasses. He nodded. She poured amber colored liquid into the glasses and handed him one. Only after she took a drink from her did he sip his. It was delicious.
“I enjoyed your song.”
“Thank you. I didn’t see you in the hall.” The drink was warming and soothing.
“Oh I was there.” She walked up to him and lightly ran her hand across his chest, up over his shoulders and as she walked around him, across his back. “You are more than Creide had hoped for. Handsome, intelligent, talented, and extremely stimulating.” The last she huskily breathed into his ear.
Bono stepped away from her, surprise registering on his face.
She laughed at his discomfort. “I’m sorry, Bono. I sometimes absorb other people’s emotions.” She shrugged her shoulders. “What can I say? It’s a gift and curse I suppose.”
Bono raised an eyebrow. “So those are Creide’s emotions?”
She sighed. “I think those were the emotions of many women there tonight.” Bono smiled in embarrassment. “But we were discussing Creide. Yes, those are her feelings. She doesn’t want you to fail. She would like to be married to you.”
Bono was taken aback. “Married? Well tell Creide that I’m not asking! What makes her think that I would ask?”
She shook her head and sat on the edge of the bed and leaned back on her elbows. Bono tried to ignore her seductive pose.
“She doesn’t need to ask, Bono. If you succeed in releasing her from her enchantment, you will be bound to her.”
“What!!” He started to pace the room. He poured himself another drink, downed it, and poured himself another. “And what if I f*cking refuse! Or what if I don’t succeed, as you put it? What then?”
She sat up. “You will die.”
That stopped Bono in his tracks. He looked at her incredulously. She appeared upset over the news as well. He shook his head. No wonder no one in all these years was able to release Creide. Had anyone ever tried?
“Who are you? How do you know this?”
She stood up and glided across the room. “My name is Aisling. I’m faery.”
Why wasn’t he surprised?
“ I met Andrew soon after his sister was killed. He wanted revenge. He was overwhelmed by it. He was also beset by grief for his sister. I – I helped him through it.”
Bono raised an eyebrow at this.
“I knew a way to help him through this. I could not remain his outlet. I wasn’t allowed. I could help him exact revenge and also find his heart again. He found his way here, to Creide. They became friends. Close. It seems obvious that they would like more. As much as Creide wanted to be released from her spell, she didn’t want to risk Andrew. She knew he could never write the poem that she needed and if he failed she would lose him. The curse had found a way to thoroughly ruin her life. But she was content to leave things as they were as long as she had someone to share her life with.
Andrew wasn’t so satisfied. He still burned to punish Aine. The only way was for Creide to regain her freedom. He felt that with Creide released from Aine’s punishment for her then it would be the ultimate retribution. He sought me out and I told him what he could do and how to do it. He told me where the amulet of Leanan Sidhe was located and I stole it from Aine and planted it where it could be easily found. He never explained to me that the necklace should not be worn. I would’ve taken precautions so that it would not have found its way to someone’s neck. In my anger I –“
“Turned him into a frog?” Bono finished.
Aisling smiled. “Yes.”
“So! This is all your doing isn’t it?” Bono was getting angry. “Why me? How the hell did you know of me? And what exactly are you getting out of this?”
Aisling shook her head. “I cannot tell you anymore than what I’m telling you now.”
Bono took a deep, breath and ran his hand through his hair. “What do I do now? I have no choices do I? I have to write this poem or I die. And when I do, if I fail, I die and if I succeed----I have to marry her?” He felt helpless. “How does this work exactly?”
“Aine’s curse on Creide had many levels. No man who attempts to release Creide can be freed. If you fail, the curse will kill you. If you succeed, then you need to be bound to Creide or the enchantment will fall back upon her.”
Bono was stunned. He was trapped.
“Does this mean Gioia and I can never return home?” He asked this softly.
Aisling walked over to him and caressed his cheek. “I will find a way to send you home. I promise.”
Thats all for today
Have a great day y'all!
Disclaimer - Fiction - fiction - fiction
Bono bowed at the waist before Creide. She extended her hand to him and he took it and placed a kissed on it. He lifted his head and winked at her. Watching this, Gioia ’s felt a lump rise in her throat as jealously threatened to crush her.
“Very nicely done, Bono.” Creide spoke to him and to the others in the room. “Beautiful song. I cannot completely explain the emotions that it invoked. But I’m pleased to discover that although I cannot put them in to words, there were emotions involved. By chance was that song one of your creations?”
Bono nodded. “Yes, my lady.”
Creide smiled and held his gaze. “Very well.” She stood up and instructed the court musicians to play so that her guests could enjoy some dancing. She gestured to Bono to have a seat beside her.
Gioia turned away before Bono took his seat beside the Queen. She looked around the room and suddenly felt over warm and stifled. An errant tear surprised her by trickling down her cheek. Her emotions angered her and she brushed it aside annoyed at her weakness. She decided to go outside for some air.
Andrew saw Gioia step out into the moonlit garden. He had been sitting on a stone bench. He decided not to approach her but stayed partially hidden behind the rhododendrons.
Gioia took a deep breath and lifted her eyes up to the stars in the clear sky. What was she doing here? The past few weeks had been barely credible. Except for trying to come to terms with her relationship with Bono, she hadn’t questioned what was happening to them. She had just accepted it all and was living day to day. She hadn’t even stopped to think about when it was all going to end and when she would find herself back home. She wondered if she would ever see it again.
How could something like this happen? They were in a land of fairies and goddesses, curses and magic. Each day it was becoming easier to believe that this was not a dream. That everything she was experiencing was real and they were truly in a fantastical land filled with Celtic myths and legends.
And of course, each day had been filled with Bono. Many times she had to remind herself who he was. Not that she, at any point in time, ever forgot who he was. But after spending so much time with him, day and night, she found that he was just a man. He was still the remarkable person she had idolized all these years. He was still the man who could recount his amazing experiences over the years. He was still the talented and intelligent individual that she had read about and saw televised specials about. But over the past few weeks he had become flesh and blood. A man whom she had come to rely on for strength and support and who was going through this trying time with her. He was a friend, sharing stories and experiences.
And if given the chance, she would make love with him. That was the truth that was weighing heavily on her. Never would she have thought that she would be the type of woman to sleep with a man after only knowing him for a short time. But this was Bono. One would think that would be excuse enough. (author's note - I know that would be excuse enough for me!!!!!) She had known him for years without actually meeting him. Knew the expressions on his face, his walk, his voice, and thought she knew his personality.
After that day at the river she knew that she would never have the will to deny him or herself. She proved that to herself when, of her own free will, she went to him at the waterfall. That day she was not analyzing or thinking about the consequences. All she was thinking about was reliving the powerful emotions that he had awakened in her. If they had not been interrupted, they would’ve made love in those beautiful surroundings, and consequences be damned.
And now? Gioia ’s heart clenched, thinking of Bono sitting next to the Queen. How could the Queen not fall for him instantly after hearing him sing? Gioia miserably thought that despite everything they had been through the past few weeks, seeing him doing what he does best brought back who he was with a force. And for some reason, that realization upset her.
Silently, Andrew watched the play of emotions on Gioia ’s face. Finally, when he had decided to come out of hiding and approach her, Bono sauntered out.
Bono saw Gioia standing by the waist high wall, which looked out over the forest below and the ocean beyond. Her back was to him. He was so happy to see her. Short of telling Creide that he had better things to do than to sit and talk with her all evening, Bono did all he could to get away and meet with Gioia .
He put his hands on her waist and placed a kiss on the back of her neck. He was rewarded with her audible gasp. She whirled around in surprise.
“Bono!” She launched herself at him and hugged him close. So much for staying cool.
Bono chuckled and hugged her back. “You getting along alright?” He asked her.
Gioia nodded and smiled at him. “I can see you are. You seem right at home.” She liked the way he had left his arm around her waist. “Nice song by the way.”
Bono laughed. “You liked it?”
Gioia joined in the laughter, amazed at how effortlessly he made her feel at ease. “How did you keep a straight face when Creide asked if it was one of your creations?”
He grunted. “You realize that if someone had the presence of mind to write it down that I possibly just screwed the band out of a hit record. Provided,of course, that we are actually in the past.”
“True.” Gioia agreed. “How’s the poetry coming along?”
He shrugged. “I have been trying. Honestly, I don’t know what she’s looking for. Does she want romantic, spiritually uplifting, or what? And I’m not getting any help from her or anyone else.”
Gioia rubbed his back. She hoped it seemed like a casual gesture and that he couldn’t notice how much she needed to touch him.
"Maybe you won’t have to try so hard. Use one of your songs. Did you see the way she reacted to you in there? I could almost see the goose bumps on her arms from where I stood.”
Bono didn’t answer. He had missed her so much. He didn’t want to waste these minutes discussing the Queen. The days had stretched on endlessly. When he offered to be the evening’s entertainment, Creide agreed almost hungrily. He knew he was probably offering himself up on a silver platter but he didn’t care. He was jumping at a chance for a change of pace. Any chance to see Gioia . He caressed her cheek lovingly.
“What are you doing out here all alone? I thought maybe you would be interested in a dance with me.”
Her heart tripped. His tone of voice was so seductive that it took her a moment to comprehend what he had said.
Gioia shook her head, amused, as she looked through the open doors to the dancing going on in the great hall. There was a lot of bowing and clapping and skipping going on.
“I don’t think I know that particular dance.”
Bono followed her eyes and smiled. “I’m up for trying out something new. I’m sure we could figure it out. No?” No doubt he would get out there and give it his very best shot but Gioia was shaking her head furiously. No.
“Alright, then we’ll dance out here.” He took her hand and draped her arm over his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her waist. He took her other hand in his and pulled her close to him. He held her hand near to his heart and began to dance.
They were dancing to their own music. Their cheeks were pressed up against each other and Gioia closed her eyes. Bono led the dance, which was slow and rhythmic. A melody was in his head and his body was swayed by it. After a moment Gioia kissed him on the cheek. She laid her head on his collar and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
Gioia wanted this to last forever. Bono had rested his cheek against the top of her head and she could picture his eyes being closed as her were. They were swaying slowly and sensually. Bono’s thigh was pressing slightly between hers, leading and guiding her. His arms were wrapped completely around her and she was so close to him that she could feel his heat and hear his steady heartbeat. She couldn’t help letting out a contented sigh.
All at once, he stopped. Gioia felt him stiffen. She looked up and to her horror saw Andrew walking over to them with two drinks in his hands. He had a confused look on his face.
“I suggest you find another place to be Fletcher.” Bono warned.
Andrew smirked at him but turned his attention to Gioia . “What goes on here? I leave you alone for a moment, by your request for refreshment may I add, and come back to find you in another’s arms?”
Bono stepped away in shock. He took in the stunned look on Gioia ’s face and the satisfied sneer on Fletcher’s face and knew that he was about to make a mistake, but he decided to leave the vicinity anyway. He turned and walked back into the Great Hall.
Gioia instantly stepped forward to stop him but Andrew grabbed her arm to stop her.
“Get your hands off of me!” She was furious. “Why? Why did you do that?”
“He’ll get over it. Listen, I have to talk with you.”
Gioia struggled. “I don’t want to listen to you, Andrew!”
“Gioia stop.” He shook her to get her attention. “He will die!” She stopped struggling. “Do I have your attention now?” She nodded, wide-eyed.
He let go of her arms with a muttered apology. “If he doesn’t produce a successful poem for Creide, he will be killed. Those are the terms of the curse. He cannot be distracted by you or by his feelings for you. Creide will see right through it. And if he waits much longer to submit a poem to her, Aine will be here! Creide already wants to send you away to return the necklace on your own but I told her that she would not get the desired results out of Bono if you were sent away. Do you understand?”
Gioia nodded, staggered by Andrew’s outburst. “Does he know this?”
Andrew was silent for a moment. “I don’t know what he’s been told.” He reached for her and Gioia was too numb to protest. She had her arms crossed in front of her so he held her in a loose hug. “You have to understand that I want him to succeed. Even if he would accept my help, which he probably would not, I don’t know how to help him. I don’t know what kind of poem would release Creide.”
She looked up at him and saw sincerity on his face. Although she didn’t trust him, she knew what he felt for Creide.
“Andrew—please tell me what’s happening. All we’ve received is half- truths and the rest we’ve had to figure out for ourselves. We want to help. We want to go home.” There, she had said it.
Andrew heard the desperation in her voice and tried to comfort her by pulling her close into his embrace. She was about to push against him to release her when she saw Bono standing by the doorway.
He ran his hand through his hair and was at a loss for words. “I – I wanted to come back to apologize, knowing what a snake Fletcher was. But---“ He locked eyes with Gioia and couldn’t continue. He turned around and walked away.
“Sh*t!” Gioia breathed before taking off after him.
Andrew shook his head and wondered if she had heard a word of what he had told her. He downed the contents of his glass. He frowned and also wondered what he had done to Bono to make him despise him so.
****
Gioia caught up with Bono in the inner corridor. Apparently he wasn’t planning on going back into the Great Hall.
“Bono!”
He stopped walking but didn’t turn around. Gioia waited a few steps from him, unsure what to say to him that would convince him that nothing was between her and Andrew. It should have been exhilarating to know that he could be disturbed by a possible affair with Andrew, but Gioia wasn’t thinking in that vein. She didn’t want him to be upset by something that did not exist.
He turned around to look at her. She couldn’t tell from his expression what he was feeling or thinking.
She shook her head. “There’s nothing between Andrew and me.” She stated the fact as simply as possible.
Bono had been holding his breath. He wished he could exhale without her noticing. He believed her. He knew anyway. As he walked away he thought about how she was standing stiffly in Fletcher’s embrace and was barely looking at him. Bono had been on the receiving end of Gioia ’s loving gazes and knew them well. He felt like a fool for his jealously and for showing his vulnerability to Fletcher.
He stepped back to Gioia and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. What did she think of all this? Was she pleased that he had been jealous? He thought it was time he found out exactly how she felt about him.
“We’re ok?” She asked softly.
He nodded. “Since you didn’t welcome his advances then it just proves how pathetic Fletcher is, eh?”
Gioia shook her head and smiled. “He’s in love with Creide, did you know that?”
Bono raised an eyebrow. “Truly? Hmmmph. That explains quite a bit doesn’t it?” Gioia looked confused. “I couldn’t figure out what he had to gain by being involved in all of this. If Creide is released from her enchantment then she is free. He could woo her and her kingdom.”
“I really believe that he wants to help Creide because he loves her, but it didn’t start that way.” Gioia explained. “Aine had his sister put to death. A lot of this is revenge upon Aine, for once Creide’s curse is lifted, Andrew will feel that his sister’s death will be avenged.”
Bono looked surprised. “So ole Fletcher is on the up and up?”
Gioia shrugged. Suddenly she remembered her conversation with Andrew out in the garden. “Oh! I have to tell you something important!”
Bono smiled at her and leaned down and placed a delicate kiss on the edge of her mouth. “What’s that?”
She swallowed hard. How could she tell him that if he doesn’t succeed with the poem that he will have to die? She suddenly felt very ill and all the blood drained from her face.
“Gioia!” He grabbed her by the waist and held her close.
“What goes on here?” A booming voice called out. Bono looked up and saw two guards standing a few feet away. He groaned. He looked down at Gioia in his arms and saw the coloring returning to her cheeks. He kissed her gently, obliviously dismissing the guards. The two sentries looked on and grinned at Bono’s unflappable aplomb.
“The lady is not feeling well, could you make certain that she returns to her rooms?”
One of the guards nodded immediately, accustomed to receiving orders from someone who had authority, or in Bono’s case, the audacity to think that he had authority.
Bono watched as Gioia was led away. He sighed. There was something that she wanted to tell him. It couldn’t have been good, considering the reaction she had to her own thoughts. He didn’t want to know. He didn’t want any distractions. He just wanted to get this all over with and move on. He was getting restless. If he was trapped in this land then he certainly didn’t want to spend his days stuck in this fortress or running toward or from Aine.
He was trying to decide if he should go to his rooms or back to the Great Hall. Neither held much appeal to him. He hated to be alone, but he also didn’t feel like dealing with Creide’s company. Although, it had been an exhilarating experience performing in front of her guests. He still had it! He smiled to himself.
He was still undecided when he saw the beautiful girl with the honey colored hair and violet eyes standing a few feet in front of him.
She smiled at him.
“Who are you?”
She didn’t say a word. She motioned with her hand indicating that he should follow her. She turned and walked away from him. He followed her at a distance until he realized that he was being led back to his rooms.
“Hey, hold on a minute! I don’t think—“
She disappeared.
Bono blinked and looked around him but she was definitely gone. He heard footsteps almost immediately and saw the two guards who had escorted Gioia back to her rooms. That jolted him. She was close by. He hadn’t considered that Creide’s two prisoners would be in the same wing.
The guards nodded to him but gave him a suspicious look. Bono decided to just retire to his rooms for the night and give the poem some more thought.
He walked into his room and was surprised to find the angelic beauty sitting calmly by the window.
“Ok.” He started coolly. “Who are you and what do you want from me?”
She smiled and stood up. “Would you like a drink Bono?” To his surprise she was holding a decanter and two glasses. He nodded. She poured amber colored liquid into the glasses and handed him one. Only after she took a drink from her did he sip his. It was delicious.
“I enjoyed your song.”
“Thank you. I didn’t see you in the hall.” The drink was warming and soothing.
“Oh I was there.” She walked up to him and lightly ran her hand across his chest, up over his shoulders and as she walked around him, across his back. “You are more than Creide had hoped for. Handsome, intelligent, talented, and extremely stimulating.” The last she huskily breathed into his ear.
Bono stepped away from her, surprise registering on his face.
She laughed at his discomfort. “I’m sorry, Bono. I sometimes absorb other people’s emotions.” She shrugged her shoulders. “What can I say? It’s a gift and curse I suppose.”
Bono raised an eyebrow. “So those are Creide’s emotions?”
She sighed. “I think those were the emotions of many women there tonight.” Bono smiled in embarrassment. “But we were discussing Creide. Yes, those are her feelings. She doesn’t want you to fail. She would like to be married to you.”
Bono was taken aback. “Married? Well tell Creide that I’m not asking! What makes her think that I would ask?”
She shook her head and sat on the edge of the bed and leaned back on her elbows. Bono tried to ignore her seductive pose.
“She doesn’t need to ask, Bono. If you succeed in releasing her from her enchantment, you will be bound to her.”
“What!!” He started to pace the room. He poured himself another drink, downed it, and poured himself another. “And what if I f*cking refuse! Or what if I don’t succeed, as you put it? What then?”
She sat up. “You will die.”
That stopped Bono in his tracks. He looked at her incredulously. She appeared upset over the news as well. He shook his head. No wonder no one in all these years was able to release Creide. Had anyone ever tried?
“Who are you? How do you know this?”
She stood up and glided across the room. “My name is Aisling. I’m faery.”
Why wasn’t he surprised?
“ I met Andrew soon after his sister was killed. He wanted revenge. He was overwhelmed by it. He was also beset by grief for his sister. I – I helped him through it.”
Bono raised an eyebrow at this.
“I knew a way to help him through this. I could not remain his outlet. I wasn’t allowed. I could help him exact revenge and also find his heart again. He found his way here, to Creide. They became friends. Close. It seems obvious that they would like more. As much as Creide wanted to be released from her spell, she didn’t want to risk Andrew. She knew he could never write the poem that she needed and if he failed she would lose him. The curse had found a way to thoroughly ruin her life. But she was content to leave things as they were as long as she had someone to share her life with.
Andrew wasn’t so satisfied. He still burned to punish Aine. The only way was for Creide to regain her freedom. He felt that with Creide released from Aine’s punishment for her then it would be the ultimate retribution. He sought me out and I told him what he could do and how to do it. He told me where the amulet of Leanan Sidhe was located and I stole it from Aine and planted it where it could be easily found. He never explained to me that the necklace should not be worn. I would’ve taken precautions so that it would not have found its way to someone’s neck. In my anger I –“
“Turned him into a frog?” Bono finished.
Aisling smiled. “Yes.”
“So! This is all your doing isn’t it?” Bono was getting angry. “Why me? How the hell did you know of me? And what exactly are you getting out of this?”
Aisling shook her head. “I cannot tell you anymore than what I’m telling you now.”
Bono took a deep, breath and ran his hand through his hair. “What do I do now? I have no choices do I? I have to write this poem or I die. And when I do, if I fail, I die and if I succeed----I have to marry her?” He felt helpless. “How does this work exactly?”
“Aine’s curse on Creide had many levels. No man who attempts to release Creide can be freed. If you fail, the curse will kill you. If you succeed, then you need to be bound to Creide or the enchantment will fall back upon her.”
Bono was stunned. He was trapped.
“Does this mean Gioia and I can never return home?” He asked this softly.
Aisling walked over to him and caressed his cheek. “I will find a way to send you home. I promise.”
Thats all for today
Have a great day y'all!
